Modifications and Insurance

pvr

pvr

Dutch
 Ruler of the South East UK
Was reading a thread on PH regarding this, truly scary. Some weird notification requirements:

- Replace your brake fluid with a higher rated one.
- Replace airfilter with non OEM one.
- Change light bulbs for different type.
- Change brake pads for non OEM.

Not sure how you could ever drive on winter tyres either as it seems like you need to notify the insurance company again as you change the wheels.

Madness.
 
pvr said:
Was reading a thread on PH regarding this, truly scary. Some weird notification requirements:

- Replace your brake fluid with a higher rated one.
- Replace airfilter with non OEM one.
- Change light bulbs for different type.
- Change brake pads for non OEM.

Not sure how you could ever drive on winter tyres either as it seems like you need to notify the insurance company again as you change the wheels.

Madness.
Click to expand...

x 2!

Also, in a used car how do you know what in it was standard or is fitted? Someone a work bought a brand new Mini last year and her insurance company listed all of the options above the base spec as modifications! Thankfully mine don't seem too bothered.

Around here I think a few peoples' insurance companies are either very understanding or quite in the dark.

What is their position on stubbies? Makes the car faster, more desirable to thieves and more likely to suffer from envy attacks!
 
Black and white - stubby change = modification from standard specification so notifyable.

The example given on there from someone having to declare the PH sticker on their car by Adrian Flux. What is all that about?
 
Insurance is all about risk. An assessment of risk is made when you provide details to the insurance company with your own details and that of the vehicle you drive. Risk is assessed based on you, your ability and history including convictions and accident record. It’s based on your location and the risk associated with recorded accident statistics and vehicle related crime in that area. And finally risk based on the vehicle itself, the relevant factors here are I hope obvious. Risk varies as do the circumstances: your own, your location and that of the vehicle. If you make alterations that change the risk then you must notify your insurance company. For example will a ‘stuby’ alter the risk? Does it increase the speed of the vehicle, its handling etc. etc. The simple answer is, ‘No’. Will changing from 16” to 18” tyres; probably yes as this is a significant change – however if you specify 18” wheels as an option when you purchase with an original manufacturers size of 16” then do you tell the insurance company when you get your insurance (for example the 2.2 was originally sold with 16” wheels and I know many who purchased and went for the optional 18s). I suppose if in doubt notify the insurance company but a degree of common sense needs to be applied based on an assessment of risk or a change in risk.
 
really? i have not even heard of about this.

i currently have 6k HID , lighter wheels but same size as OEM, and performance muffler.
what can be the cause for not notifying the insurance company?

if i do notify them, will my bill go up?

this is something real crazy
 
pvr said:
Was reading a thread on PH regarding this, truly scary. Some weird notification requirements:

- Replace your brake fluid with a higher rated one.
- Replace airfilter with non OEM one.
- Change light bulbs for different type.
- Change brake pads for non OEM.

Not sure how you could ever drive on winter tyres either as it seems like you need to notify the insurance company again as you change the wheels.

Madness.
Click to expand...

Does it not strike you as being a bit like the stories about people being pecked by a swan and it breaking their arm... everyone swears blind swans can break your arm but nobody has ever heard of anyone who has had it happen?
 
When I was getting the quotes for my insurance 2 months ago most of the insurance companies wanted to know about all of the optional extras that i had specified on the car before they would quote. Interestingly, BMW insurance was the best price in the end!
 
I'm beginning to hear more and more about this issue, probably because it's a comparatively recent factor in the insurance market and people aren't yet fully aware of it.

As mentioned above, the definition of "modification" varies between insurers. The basic tenet is that a modification is anything on the vehicle that isn't part of (or otherwise modifies) what's termed by the insurer as the "manufacturer's original specification". And I think at the most fundamental level the "manufacturer's original specification" means the car as it would be if you just asked for that make and model (for instance "I'd like a 120i 3-door SE please"). So any optional extras could be argued as modifications. However, in my experience most of the big name insurers are only really interested in Sat Nav or bigger wheels in terms of optional extras at build, and then anything that's been added afterward (OZ Alloys, Recaro's, bodykits, ESS chargers, etc.). The justification is (as stated above) risk. For instance, CSL's are a more attractive item to thieves than the basic 16"s on a 120i, so they're more lilely to catch for a wheel-theft claim.

However, I remember a story on the news of a guy who had a E92 full of factory options (including Prof Sat Nav) but no aftermarket stuff, which was insured as unmodified and subsequently stolen. If I recall correctly, in the first instance the insurer refused to pay, but ultimately the guy got a reduced payout, which I assume was derived from the basic value of the model.
 
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